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It's not really a matter of "Russian links". Maps.me was sold from its original founders to a payment-processing company that hasn't been developing the app fur
by OfSanguineFire 3y ago
It's not really a matter of "Russian links". Maps.me was sold from its original founders to a payment-processing company that hasn't been developing the app further. That was the reason for the fork of its open-source codebase as Organic Maps, which is very actively developed.
- lucideer 3y agoIt's had 3 separate forks over the years: I was mainly basing my comment on the 2 predating the sale as I haven't actually tried Organic Maps (yet) - good to hear its actively developed. I had given up on the other two due to various challenges with the tile hosting. Must give this one a try.
- matkoniecz 3y agoAlso, Organic Maps is run by (some subset of?) original founders. Interesting case of why developers may prefer open source: company was sold, but code was open to legal reuse under a new brand.
- tuukkah 3y agoUsers may prefer for the same reason.
- verve_rat 3y agoSurely a non-compete was involved?
- lucideer 3y agoDepends on the region you're in but non-competes vary wildly in enforceability. They mainly survive on the threat of incurring costs of a legal fight rather than likelihood of actual follow through enforcement.
- matkoniecz 3y agoIt has not happened immediately. Also, AFAIK they were not in USA but somewhere in Europe.
- amne 3y ago"to a payment processing company". Ok. Now it makes sense. I just launched maps.me on my phone for the first time in more than 2 years I think and I was wondering why it's asking me to log in and also inviting me to use the Maps Wallet? What? A wallet? In a maps app? Haven't uninstalled an app faster in my life.